Giving Tuesday

The lives of our First Responders are impacted greatly not only through day to day calls and stressors, but the tragedies and traumas for which they serve.

This #givingtuesday, you can give back to those that give so much to us by providing mental and emotional wellness support to our First Responders.

“My personal belief is that once we put that uniform on, we brainwash ourselves into, ‘this is how we have to act, this is how the community expects us to act. We cannot show any type of weakness.”
Fire Captain Jeff Dill

You can help support your First Responders and provide programs to keep them mentally and emotionally STRONG through Foundation 1023.

Since our inception in early 2016, Foundation 1023 has provided over 800 hours of mental wellness care to 160 First Responders or family members. We have assisted in training 140 peer support team members and have shared the importance of positive mental health impact to countless community members.This has all been possible through your generous tax deductible donations.

Quote from Foundation Client:“WOW! Just a wonderful blessing. Tears to my eyes to find out that there was a foundation out there that cared about L.E. (Law Enforcement) and P.T.S.D. issues that are such a struggle in our line of work. So happy that 1023 covered my entire bill and services received and I’m eternally grateful, as well as my family, to have been given such a blessing. Sad to say, we couldn’t afford the treatments due to poor insurance and income in our field of profession. 1023 is credited with helping to save my life. My wife and children thank you as well, and to be honest, there are no words to express my appreciation.”

Your gift to First Responders this #givingtuesday will not only provide them the support they need to stay whole and fully-functioning in their lives and career, but you will help build awareness that asking for mental support is not a weakness, but a strength.

Nationally, twice as many police commit suicide as are killed in the line of duty.

First responders suffer from increased rates of divorce.

First responders are ten times more likely to commit suicide than the average American.

Substance abuse in first responders is approximately 10 percent, or double the national average.

Every 1.4 days, a first responder commits suicide.

More than one third of first responders are affected by PTSD.

Nationally, twice as many police commit suicide as are killed in the line of duty.

First responders suffer from increased rates of divorce.

First responders are ten times more likely to commit suicide than the average American.

Substance abuse in first responders is approximately 10 percent, or double the national average.

Every 1.4 days, a first responder commits suicide.

Most of us will never encounter ONE event that creates PTSD in our lives. However, First Responders can encounter critical, traumatic events on a DAILY basis. Yet, mental health conversations and support can be taboo in their culture.

Our Mission

Foundation 1023 is committed to supporting the emotional and mental wellness of First Responders and their support network who are experiencing illness, loss or stressful life events by providing confidential funding for emotional and mental wellness services, as well as access to peer supported outdoor activities and events designed for personal wellness and connection.

Through public, business and community donations, Foundation 1023 provides positive mental wellness impact for first responders with confidential counseling, peer to peer training and community awareness regarding the need for mental health support in the first responder community.​

Help Us Put First Responder Mental Health First.

Emergency responders save lives, but the trauma they see can take a mental toll.

When paramedic Daniel Crampton was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, his therapist suggested something untenable: “Maybe you should get out of that line of work.” Crampton had sought counseling after being called to the sites of five emergencies involving children within six months, witnessing a string of tragedies (four deaths and one resuscitation) that earned him the nickname “Pediatric Dan” among his colleagues. Crampton couldn’t shake the memories. The therapist’s advice, while well-meaning, was desperately out of touch; for emergency responders like Crampton, their identities and work tangle inextricably, so quitting is a last resort.

Unfortunately, Crampton’s experience mirrors that of many emergency responders. A 2015 survey found that 86 percent of emergency medical services personnel reported critical stress (emotionally impactful stress, either built up over a career or the result of a single searing call); a job that entails frequent exposure to others’ once-in-a-lifetime tragedies takes a toll. But that truth can go unspoken, because the current workplace culture implicitly discourages discussing emotional trauma; unlike physical well-being and procedural familiarity, mental resiliency often isn’t addressed in training. Instead, responders worry that if they reach out, co-workers will think they’re too fragile for a tough job.

How Foundation 1023 makes a difference

I was involved in a shooting and was struggling horribly. This counseling helped me and my wife so very much.

The counseling I received was phenomenal and provided me with tools for this lifestyle.

My life has been spinning out of control. This is getting me grounded. With two shootings and being assigned to investigate child pornography for years, I have really needed this.

It has given me help. I needed to talk to somebody who understands about PTSD stress and years of fighting demons. This was healing to me.

Absolutely astounding! I would not have sought out help on my own if it wasn't for this program. Foundation 1023 is at the top of our list for all fundraising efforts in the future.

Going to therapy is teaching me how to survive this career. I am learning to separate myself from the emotions of the caller so that I can keep things from hitting me personally and keep things in perspective.

This is saving my life.

As a law enforcement officer, I thought I was immune. Now I know that I am resilient.